Kidnap and Ransom

News, information and statistics about kidnap for ransom activities. Data about the security threat is collected from intelligence reports, security companies, kidnap for ransom insurance brokers, hostage negotiators and other public information.

Kidnap for ransom payments made to pirates in Somalia are difficult to track due to the payments being made in cash, according to the BBC. An estimated $80 million in ransom payments are believed to have been laundered by organized crime syndicates in the Gulf region, but this has been denied by Gulf authorities.

The BBC also has a breakdown by the United Nations on how the ransom payments are distributed.

Although there is no universal set of rules, a UN report based on information gathered from pirates based in the north-eastern village of Eyl, reveals some interesting information about how the ransom spoils are divided:

• Maritime militia, pirates involved in actual hijacking – 30%

• Ground militia (armed groups who control the territory where the pirates are based) – 10%

• Local community (elders and local officials) – 10%

• Financier – 20%

• Sponsor – 30%

The UN report found the payments are shared virtually equally between the maritime militia, although the first pirate to board the ship gets a double share or a vehicle.

And compensation is paid to the family of any pirate killed during the operation.

According to official statistics, there has been 166 kidnapping for ransom in Venezuela in 2009. However, as many cases are not reported, the number of kidnappings are estimated to be up to four times higher.

Poor families are forced to give up possessions, such as refrigerator, in order to pay the ransom.

The Somali Pirates who hold ships for ransom off the coast of Somalia are reported to have made up to 50 million dollars last year in ransom payments. According to a report in the Washington Post, those pirates who are able to get paid are living a life of luxury in the poverty stricken country.